FATHER CHRISTMAS paid his annual visit to Glossop Station on Saturday and a very happy occasion it was too! Because of the new ticket gates a lot of thought had gone into a revised approach and layout the main objective being to avoid a large queuing crowd. So this year Santa was in residence for an hour and a half in the Waiting Room to greet children and their families. Around fifty to sixty families came during this period to see him and receive a small free gift. It worked well. Travellers moved through the gates to and from trains enjoying en route the sounds of SPINDRIFT'S lovely music and enjoying the spectacle of Santa!The station looked its festive best helping to contribute to the happy mood. Our thanks to Laura and Thea for manning the tree decoration stall which was kept very busy. The tree looked really good and we must thank GLOSSOP GARDEN CENTRE for their generous donation of the tree and an extra set of lights. Special thanks to our guest, Mrs Linda Walker, who switched on our tree lights. Linda was accompanied by her husband Andrew, Rail Officer for the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership and their grandchildren. It was really nice to welcome them back! Simon Brooks, our Northern line manager, was there throughout helping in many ways and joining in the fun. With the revised layout it was really useful having Simon there. He has said that the popular model railway stand can return next year as there is space. Good news for its many fans!We would also like to thank Vicky Cropper Community and Sustainability Manager at Northern for her keen support and help. To the gating staff at Glossop our appreciation for their enthusiasm and assistance and to the booking office staff, their patience.The Glossop Chronicle and High Peak Radio promoted the event in advance. Our thanks. And to Pete Gaskell, Simon Denvers, Jo Meek and Paul Marsh sincere thanks for ensuring advance publicity was spread on social media.And to Father Christmas himself who was cheerily waved off back to Lapland on the 13.07 train from Glossop - heartfelt thanks for finding the time to visit! This year Neil got him on the right train home!!